WASHINGTON (July 17, 2025) – In 1977, Ronald "Waldo" Wilson was named the starting quarterback for the Howard University football team during his redshirt freshman season. Even though Waldo was offered several athletic and academic scholarships to Division I universities, he found a "home" to further his education and play football when he decided to attend Howard.
 
Despite having to share the starting quarterback duties during his first three seasons, Waldo still managed to break most of the offensive records at Howard (most of which had stood for 13 years) and was rated the third best quarterback out of 120-plus Division 1-AA (now known as FCS) college starters. He was inducted into Howard's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022. D.C. Sports Hall of Fame writer Michael Wilbon described Waldo's offensive leadership as "intimidating" in a 1980 Washington Post article. Waldo was known for his confident and aggressive style of play and was considered to be a Triple Threat (meaning he could run, pass and score).
 
After the 1980 season, Waldo was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year. He was also the first player from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to be named as the Local College Player of the Year (1981) by the Touchdown Club and was named the East Team co-captain of the Sheridan Broadcasting Network All Star Football Game that same year. In that same year, he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
 
After graduating in 1981, Waldo enjoyed a successful career as a corporate manager, associate professor in academia (where he still teaches at a Maryland institute), as well as the nonprofit and political arena with the MD State Legislative Black Caucus.
 
Waldo was born into a military family when his dad was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. His dad was a career U.S. Marine who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His dad and mom had five children.
 
Ronald, or Waldo as most people call him, grew up playing football and learned the game from his dad, who played for legendary Grambling State University Football Head Coach Eddie Robinson in the 1940s. More importantly, his dad taught him the value of education. As a result, Waldo graduated from Anacostia High School at the top of his class, and after graduating from Howard University he earned a master's degree in business administration.
 
He is a man of faith, followed his gift of artistry and founded the Waldo Gallery in 1995 where they sell fine art and rare collectibles, as well as provide appraisal services.
 
He is married to a fellow Howard Bison, and they have three beautiful daughters.
 
About Where Are They Now?
 
The weekly series of "Where Are They Now?" appears on Thursdays throughout the year.
 
The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.
 
All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Jade Spurlock (jade.spurlock@bison.howard.edu) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.